Jace moves in, voice flat. “Let her go, Whale. We don’t want any trouble. We’ll be out of your hair if you keep this quiet.”
Levi stands next to me, expression hard. “Just don’t call the police. That’s all we’re asking.”
Whale squints at us, taking his time. “Why would I call anyone? You think I care that much what happens to you?” He spits on the step, then leans closer, voice low. “You got balls, coming here after all that shit with Jinn.” He squints at us, then at Carrie. “When did you even get out of prison, anyway?”
We exchange quick glances. Nobody says a word right away.
Whale shakes his head. “Actually, don’t even tell me. Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He looks over his shoulder, checking the lot, then waves us in. “Come inside. Last thing we need is more trouble out here.”
He moves aside, finally letting us pass. The clubhouse is dim, empty but for a flicker of TV light and the smell of coffee burned into the walls. The air is stale, the place quieter than I remember.
Jace looks around, then glances at Whale. “Where’s everyone else? Feels empty.”
Whale shrugs. “Most of the guys don’t want to be seen at the club right now. I’m the only one holding down the fort thesedays. Some of them come in to sleep or grab a shower, but that’s about it. Most people are lying low.”
Carrie looks out the window at the row of bikes. “What about the motorcycles? There’s at least six out front.”
Whale gives a short laugh. “Mostly for show. The ATF keeps sniffing around. They get jumpy if they think there’s a bunch of rowdy bikers inside.” He smirks at his own words, then shakes his head. “Half those bikes haven’t moved in weeks.”
I glance at Levi and Jace. The place doesn’t feel much like home anymore, but it’s all we have.
Whale walks over to the kitchen, pours himself a mug of coffee, and nods at us. “Make yourselves scarce. If anyone else shows, you didn’t see me, and I didn’t see you.”
Carrie follows Whale into the kitchen, her steps cautious. She doesn’t sit, just stands by the counter while Whale pours another mug of coffee. She lowers her voice. “Wait. The ATF are still hanging around?”
Whale snorts, blowing on his coffee. “Yeah, some government asshole keeps sniffing around the last few months. I don’t even remember his name.”
“Rodriguez?” Carrie asks, watching him close.
Whale narrows his eyes. “Yeah, that’s the one. How’d you know?”
Carrie glances at us, her hand tightening around the back of a chair. “He’s trouble. He’s the reason we had to run.”
Whale gives her a long, unreadable look. “You bring that heat here, girl?”
I shake my head, tossing my bag on a dusty table. “Not if we can help it. We’ll be gone before sundown.”
Jace nudges Levi, jerking his chin toward the window. “Let’s get rid of that car before someone sees it.” They grab their jackets and slip outside.
Whale steps to the window, his big arms crossed, watching them as they cross the yard to the battered sedan. He raises an eyebrow at me. “What the hell have you all been up to?”
I snort and lean back against the fridge. “Just the usual. Road trips, sightseeing, picking up strays.” My voice is dry as dust.
Whale grunts, but I see the curiosity in his eyes. He can’t help himself. “Cut the crap, Nico. The girl shows up out of nowhere, you three look like you crawled out of a ditch. I refuse to believe that you just walked out of prison like that.”
“We didn’t,” I say, my voice low, not looking away from Whale.
Carrie shoots me a look, tries to catch my sleeve, but I ignore her. I’m tired of running. Tired of pretending.
“We broke out,” I admit. “Walked out the hard way.”
Whale’s eyes widen. He sets his mug down hard, coffee sloshing over the edge. For a second, I see something like pride in his face, but it’s gone in a blink. He curses quietly, fishing his phone from his pocket. His fingers move fast, dialing a number I don’t recognize.
“Jesus,” he mutters, pressing the phone to his ear. “You idiots?—”
I grit my teeth, a sick feeling twisting in my gut. “Whale, don’t.”
Carrie clings to my arm, her grip strong but trembling. “Please. Don’t call anyone. We just need time. That’s all.”
